Philadelphia prepares for Home Run Derby with new format and local stars

By Daniel Foster — 13 July 2026 — 3 min read

Home Run Derby returns to Philadelphia with format changes

The annual Home Run Derby is set to take place in Philadelphia, featuring a new format and a lineup of prominent players. The event, scheduled for Monday evening, will be streamed exclusively on Netflix, marking a shift from its previous broadcast history. Coverage for the event is slated to begin at 7 p.m. ET, with the competition starting an hour later.

For the first time in a decade, the Derby will move away from the clock-based system that has been in use since 2016. Instead, MLB and Netflix have opted to reintroduce an outs-based system. In the initial round, each of the eight participants will have 20 swings. A key aspect of this new rule is that a round cannot conclude on a home run, allowing a hitter to continue if they are performing well until an out is made. This change aims to reduce the chaotic final seconds often seen in previous timed formats and lessen the dependence on the quality of the batting practice pitcher.

The new format also eliminates the bonus balls previously awarded based on home run distance, simplifying the framework of the competition. Following the opening round, the top four home run totals will advance to the semifinals. Players will be seeded based on their first-round performance, with the first seed facing the fourth, and the second seed competing against the third. The semifinal and final rounds will each consist of 15 swings. Tiebreakers in these later rounds will be decided by three-swing overtimes until a winner emerges.

Local favorites and rising stars in the field

The 2026 Home Run Derby field includes a mix of established sluggers and emerging talents. The hometown duo of Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber, both from the Philadelphia Phillies, are expected to be a major draw. They are the first teammates to participate in the Derby since 2018. Schwarber leads the league in home runs with 32, while Harper has recorded 20 home runs this season. Harper previously won the Derby in 2018 as a member of the Washington Nationals, and will be looking for another title in front of his home crowd.

Other notable participants include Junior Caminero of the Tampa Bay Rays, who is looking to improve upon his second-place finish from last season. Caminero, who just turned 23, has 28 home runs this season and is noted for having the fastest swing in baseball, according to MLB Savant. Ben Rice of the New York Yankees, with 29 home runs, and Munetaka Murakami of the Chicago White Sox, who has 20 home runs, are also competing. Murakami is participating fresh off the injured list.

The field is rounded out by Jordan Walker of the St. Louis Cardinals, making his Derby debut with 22 home runs, Willson Contreras of the Boston Red Sox, who has 20 home runs, and Jac Caglianone of the Kansas City Royals, with 15 home runs. Contreras will be the first Red Sox player to participate since 2011. The event will take place at Citizens Bank Park, a venue known for its high home run output, particularly for left-handed hitters.

Broadcast details and commentary team

The exclusive broadcast on Netflix marks a significant change for the Home Run Derby, which was previously hosted by ESPN since 1993. An active Netflix subscription will be required to watch the event. The streaming platform aims to provide a cinematic broadcast experience, similar to its coverage of this season’s Opening Night game between the Yankees and Giants.

The commentary team for the Netflix broadcast will feature Elle Duncan as the lead sports host, with Matt Vasgersian providing play-by-play commentary and Lauren Shehadi reporting from the field. The broadcast will also include a lineup of analysts, including Barry Bonds, a prominent figure in home run history. Albert Pujols, another member of the 700-home run club, is also expected to contribute to the studio commentary alongside Duncan and Bonds. The event is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, July 13.

Source: sports.yahoo.com